A £300 monthly budget for your car is a great starting point, giving you the choice of a good few brand-new cars. But, like any budget, you’ll get much more for your money by buying used.
Sure enough, some of these cars will make your neighbours think you’ve spent a lot more than you actually have. You’ll find high-end petrol, hybrid and electric options, as well as hot hatchbacks and fantastic family SUVs for your budget.
For even more options, browse our wide range of cars under £300 per month.
Volkswagen Tiguan
The Volkswagen Tiguan is the absolute do-it-all family SUV. It’s not the cheapest, but it feels like good value and you’re definitely getting what you pay for – namely premium materials that are screwed well together, a huge amount of space and economical engines. The Tiguan also exudes confidence from behind the wheel, whether you’re flying down the motorway or treading carefully through unsighted country lanes.
If you end up with a Tiguan in entry-level Life trim, you’ll get a hotlist of equipment including LED headlights, parking sensors at each end and adaptive cruise control. Either of the 150hp engines – diesel or petrol – are strong choices for powering the Tiguan.
Shop used Volkswagen Tiguan cars for sale or read our review of the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan
Cupra Formentor
With a squat stance and mean looks, the Cupra Formentor is here to put the 'sport' into SUV. It's not just for show, either. The Formentor has the kind of poise and balance you'd expect from a real-deal hot hatch, and a selection of punchy petrol and plug-in-hybrid engines to give it the 'go' to match. You also sit nice and low, despite the raised, kerb-friendly ride height, further emphasising the car's sportiness. All this ability demands remarkably few compromises, too, with a full suite of modern on-board tech plus enough passenger and cargo space for a family of four.
Shop used Cupra Formentor cars for sale or read our Cupra Formentor review
Mercedes C-Class
The latest Mercedes C-Class still looks like a brand-new car, but now you can drive one away from a Motorpoint store of your choice for less than £300 per month. Its sleek lines and moody dark paint shades ooze class, and its interior will draw sharp intakes of breath from anyone who’s lucky enough to be a passenger. The huge central touchscreen looks state of the art, and is actually borrowed from the S-Class limousine (which costs three times as much!).
Like the S-Class, the smaller C-Class puts comfort far above sportiness – this is a relaxed motorway cruiser and every journey will keep the adrenaline down rather than pumping it up. And… relaaax.
Shop used Mercedes C-Class cars for sale or read our Mercedes C-Class review
Hyundai Tucson
Not content to be an 'also-ran', the Hyundai Tucson has some of the boldest styling in the family SUV class to stand out. It's not just an eye-catching face either, with a super-spacious cabin that has enough room for six-footers to fully stretch out, plus plenty of boot space. There are pin-sharp screens for the centre infotainment system and the driver's dials, and all cars come very well equipped from the factory. All engines have enough grunt to move the Tucson weight around easily, and you'll find fuel-sipping full-hybrid and plug-in-hybrid engines further up the range.
Shop used Hyundai Tucson cars for sale or read our Hyundai Tucson review
BMW 5 Series
Pushing your monthly budget to £300 lets you shop some seriously premium cars if you're willing to look at a slightly older numberplate. The BMW 5 Series seamlessly blends a composed, accurate driving experience with unflappable long-range cruising ability. Around corners, you feel the car's planted handling holding you securely on line and never need to guess how much steering or pedal input is needed. On long motorway trips it's simply serene. Pick one of the popular 520d diesel models and you'll go for hundreds of miles between fuel stops thanks to impressive cross-country fuel economy.
Shop used BMW 5 Series cars for sale
Skoda Superb
The Skoda Superb undersells itself. It’s more than superb – it’s almost unbeatable in several areas. Chiefly, practicality. The Superb has unbelievable amounts of rear legroom and a class-leading boot which, at 660 litres for the estate version, is big enough to qualify for its own postcode.
Diesel engines suit the Superb down to the ground – they excel at covering long distances, with outstanding comfort and the promise of close to 60mpg. There are also petrol and plug-in-hybrid engines available if you’re not a high-mileage driver and, as we’ve come to expect from Skoda, these engines are also excellent.
Shop used Skoda Superb cars for sale or read our review of the 2024 Skoda Superb
Range Rover Evoque
Blending Land Rover’s essential go-anywhere tech with more compact, city-friendly dimensions, the Range Rover Evoque is one of the most desirable SUVs on our roads. It helps that it’s immensely stylish, too.
The Evoque is bigger inside than it looks, with proper space for adults and a good-sized boot. Up front, the Evoque feels just as premium as more expensive Range Rovers, and has a smart touchscreen with all the features you could wish for. Add in a choice of diesel, petrol and plug-in hybrid engines, as well the option of two- or four-wheel drive, and the Evoque appeals to a broad church of buyers.
Shop used Range Rover Evoque cars for sale or read our Range Rover Evoque review
Citroen C5 X
The Citroen C5 X is hard to classify. Even Citroen says it’s a mix of saloon, estate and SUV. Whatever it is, it’s striking and handsome. There’s more joy once you get past the styling, too, as the C5 X offers the soothing comfort that only a big Citroen barge does.
It looks expensive, so it might surprise you that the C5 X is actually one of the best-value cars on this list. Under £300 per month buys you a top-spec Shine Plus car that’s only a year or so old, with Citroen’s punchy 1.2-litre petrol engine and an easy automatic gearbox. Let curiosity get the better of you and book a test drive.
Shop used Citroen C5 X cars for sale or read our Citroen C5 X review
Audi A6
An Audi A6 for the price of a compact hatchback? It’s true, and we’re even talking low-mileage A6s that aren’t quite three years old yet. Plump for the Sport trim and you can pick from powerful petrol or mile-munching diesel engines, as well as smaller alloy wheels that maximise ride comfort.
The A6 boasts Audi's very latest interior design and infotainment technology, plus a suite of driver assistance features that almost let the car drive itself. Perfect for those boring journeys where you’d rather just get to your destination.
Shop used Audi A6 cars for sale or read our Audi A6 review
BMW M235i
Essentially a 1 Series saloon with a 306hp firecracker strapped to it, the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe M235i provides pace and practicality in spades. Thanks to the xDrive four-wheel-drive system, the M235i makes its performance incredibly accessible – even in typically British weather and on British road surfaces. It’s brilliant for quick cross-country jaunts, but also settles down to be an astute motorway cruiser and doesn’t feel too big around town.
The M235i just slips under £300 per month with a 20% deposit – and that's for a six-month-old car with low mileage and the balance of BMW’s warranty cover. This is real bang-for-your-buck.
Shop used BMW 2 Series cars for sale
Read our top picks for other monthly budgets
- 10 of the best cars for under £150 per month
- 10 of the best cars for under £200 per month
- 10 of the best cars for under £250 per month
Affordable finance on used cars
Check out Motorpoint's huge selection of nearly new and used cars, all with a range of flexible finance options.
